Summary of Today's BroadcastRFE/RL Persian ServiceThursday, March 07, 2002
* Four Freed on Bail
* Mosaddeq Out of the Closet
* "Asr-e Ma," weekly of the Islamic Left, Shut Down
* Burgeoning Civil Service
Judiciary Frees on Bail Four Jailed Leading Nationalists
* The son-in-law of Mohammad Tavasoli tells RFE/RL that the 20 billion-rial bails set for his father-in-law and his three jail mates, all members of the central committee of Iran Freedom Movement, were higher than the norm. The four were the last to be freed of the 19 leading Freedom Movement and Nationalist-Religious coalition activists accused of subversion. (Amir-Mosaddeq Katouzian)
In Saudi Peace Plan IRI Finds a Way out of Militant Middle East Policies
* Alireza Nourizadeh, in an interview with RFE/RL, says that Tehran hopes its favorable reaction to Crown Prince Abdullah's peace plan will enable it to back out of its more militant foreign policy of recent months. The London-based journalist says IRI wants to remove the destruction of Israel as a central goal of its foreign policy. Three-way talks between Tehran, Damascus and Riyadh have been successful, says Nourizadeh, who adds that "leaving behind Ayatollah Khomeini's legacy will help pave the way for talks with the US." (Jamshid Zand)
Majlis Speaker Goes to Italy
* Mehdi Karrubi, in Italy on the invitation from his Italian counterpart, is to meet the Italian prime minister and foreign minister tomorrow. (Ahmad Ra'fat, Rome)
Seminar in Tehran Reviews the Nationalist Movement
* In an occasion possibly unprecedented in the Islamic Republic, a seminar was recently held in Tehran on the legacy of Mohammad Mosaddeq, the premier credited with the nationalization of Iranian oil, according to Ali Akbar Moinfar, a former IRI cabinet member. In an interview with RFE/R, Moinfar says speakers reviewed the national movement up to Mosaddeq's overthrow in the 1952 coup. Organized by Tehran University professor Sadeq Zibakalam, the seminar also featured the brother of the jailed reformist clergyman, Yussefi Ashkevari. Simple memorial ceremonies were held on his death anniversary two days ago in Mossadeq's village and burial place, Ahmadabad (Amir-Mossaddeq Katouzian)
Pro-Reform Student Movement to Hold Elections after Break-up of Central Council
* New elections will be held tomorrow in Alameh Tabatabai University for the central committee of Iran's largest student organization, the Office for Reinforcing Unity (Daftar-e Tahkim-e Vahdat). The election is organized by seven members of the central committee, who refuse to recognize a controversial Daftar election in Shiraz last week, which led to a brawl between two opposing factions and the resulting shutdown by police of Daftar's Tehran headquarters. Each side accuses the other of links with outside political forces. But the side supported by IRI reformists is itself divided over links with various reform parties that are fielding candidates for the new central committee. Last year, after Daftar mobilized voters effectively during Khatami's second presidential election campaign, various political groups from both factions of the regime sought to control the Daftar despite the objections of many opposed to the politicization of the student movement. (Mehdi Khalaji)
Islamic Leftist Weekly Loses Licensee, Editor Gets 15 Years in Jail
* The weekly "Asr-e Ma" ("Our Time"), organ of the Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), was a relic of the leftist political thinking in Iran promoted first by the communist party, Tudeh, in the 1940's, says Tehran University political science professor Sadeq Zibakalam. He tells RFE/RL that MIRO's anti-imperialism, anti-Americanism, and opposition to foreign investment do not appeal to Iranian youth today and are out of step with the reformist movement of which MIRO is now a part. Zibakalam is surprised that the court closed down the weekly, since he says it was poorly written and had few readers. (Mehdi Khalaji)
Lead Poisoning and Aggressive Behavior of Tehran Residents
* Dr. Mohammad-Reza Mahmudzadeh tells RFE/RL that gradual poisoning by lead from car fumes in Tehran is responsible for the unusually aggressive and angry behavior of some Tehran residents. (Golnaz Esfandiari)
Review of the Week
* Majlis MP's complain of taps put on their mobile phones and about four unlawful prisons set up around Tehran by the revolutionary guards with the consent of the judiciary, writes RFE/RL's columnist from Tehran. In his weekly review, he also writes about the start of mass production in China of Sara and Dara, Tehran's answer to Mattel's Barbie and Ken dolls, and reports on the gathering of 600 in Ahmadabad, the nationalist leader Mosaddeq's hometown on the anniversary of his death.
Government Employees Quadrupled in 20 Years
* Heavy government moves slowly, says RFE/RL's economic commentator, Fereydoun Khavand, analyzing new data about the increase in the number of government employees. Within the past 20 years, public employees have increased fourfold and consume 57 percent of the nation's GDP. (Fereydoun Khavand, Paris)
Charity Celebration Creates Merciful, not Productive Society, Says Sociologist
* On the occasion of an annual charity collection for the poor, Tehran-based university professor and sociologist, Dr. Davar Sheikhavandi, says charity programs create dependence and a belief in chance, since only a few can benefit from the collections gathered by the Imam's Charitable Committee, a concern controlled by the IRI Leader. Sheikhavandi tells RFE/RL that people should be encouraged to invest and create job opportunities for their fellow citizens, instead of giving to charity. Two Tehran residents tell RFE/RL that they give to charity but doubt that small donations can solve Iran's huge poverty. (Shireen Famili)
WORLD
* Middle East on the verge of an all-out war. (Jamshid Chalangi, Cairo)
* US Secretary of State says Sharon's policy does not solve the problem. (Homayoun Majd, Washington)
* UN Secretary General to meet Iraqi FM as US reveals new evidence on Iraqi weapons violations. (Shahran Tabari)
* Iraq Reacts to US revelations in UN, claiming an attack is near. (Jamshid Chalangi, Cairo)
* 20 French MP's travel to Middle East, searching for peace activists. (Jean Khakzad, Paris)
* Paktia battle intensifies, as US sends in more troops. (Golnaz Esfandiari)
* Geneva-based UN body charged with preserving endangered species says sturgeon fishing can resume in the Caspian Sea. (Jean Khakzad, Paris)
* New tariffs on imported steel is counter to US interests and economic policies declared by President Bush, says Northeastern University professor Kamran Dadkhah. He tells RFE/RL that with Congressional elections in mind, the Bush Administration appears to have caved in to the demands of steel producers and their unions. The tariffs, opposed by EU, South Korea and Russia, will not help save the US Steel industry, but will postpone its demise. (Fereydoun Zarnegar)
* Russia bans US chicken in reaction to US steel tariffs. (Mani Kasravi, Moscow)
ARTS AND IDEAS
John Cage Anniversary
* RFE/RL's Fahimeh Barati reviews the life and art of the avant-garde composer and thinker, John Cage, in the weekly LA Report.
Iranian-born World Music DJ on a Local LA Radio Station
* In an interview with RFE/RL, Maryam Rais talks about her 5-year-old, 3-hour weekly radio program of world music on Pacifica's LA station. (Fahimeh Barati)
On the Green Grass: The Week in Soccer
* In his weekly program, RFE/RL's soccer commentator, Mehrdad Massoudi, reviews soccer news, answers listeners' questions and announces the winners of last week's soccer quiz.